Beer science: How to keep coldies cooler, longer

SO you're gearing up for a scorcher. You've got the air-con running, the cricket is on the tele, snags on the barbie, you're rocking the boardies and you're about to whack your six pack into a tub of ice.

But did you know that surrounding your beer in ice is actually one of the most inefficient ways of keeping your coldies cool?

Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Australian Synchrotron, Helen Maynard-Casely told news.com.au that there is a much more scientific way to ensure your beers stay cooler for longer using basic household items.

"The recipe I came up with is to find a big tub like an esky or bucket and put in one cup of salt and three cups of water and then throw in loads and loads of ice," she said.

"It will equilibrate in temperature and should get down to about minus 10 degrees, roughly."

Every scientist worth their salt uses this trick which is known as "freezing point depression," Ms Maynard-Casely said.

And if you're out of salt, try using washing powder instead.

"It doesn't have to be salt," Ms Maynard-Casely told news.com.au. "It can be anything in your house that dissolves in water because it's not what is in the water but how much is dissolved."

The process works by keeping water molecules away from each other and stops them from freezing or melting.

And because the liquid naturally flows around your beer, it will do a much better job of keeping it cool than sticking a lump of ice on top of it.

It's also more effective than putting it in the freezer.

"In a freezer, you don't have much contact," Ms Maynard-Casely said. "You're just relying on cold air molecules, so they bump into each other every so often."

"Dare I say it, the ice bath is a great emergency stand by to keep your beer nice and cold."

So how did Ms Maynard-Casely come across this process? You have the heavens to thank.

The same kind of science that keeps your beer cold is responsible for the formation of the various planets that make up our universe.

The space boffin has been studying how the planets of our solar system were formed.

Freezing point depression is thought to be responsible for the icy moon of Saturn, known as Encaeladus and Jupiter's "Europa".

"Because you depress the temperature and because it's really, really cold, you can get volcanoes and different things melting," she said.

"It gives rise to the amazing surfaces we see."

It also keeps your beer cold.

Other tricks to keeping a cold one cool:

-Stick your glass or beer receptacle of choice in the freezer so it's nice and frosty. Better yet, whack it in the ice bath along with your beers.

-Beer cozy or stubby holder - invest in one.

- Stick your beer into a wet sock and hang it in the wind. Make sure it is attached securely to a washing line or other attachment or otherwise the minute the wind blows, your beer will be all over the ground and your sock will be full of glass shards. And of course, make sure the sock is clean first.

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